Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Derby, KS: $63,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,782 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,167 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,767) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derby, Kansas, the projected starting civil engineer salary for 2026 is estimated at $63,782, setting realistic expectations for new graduates entering the workforce. This figure is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $92,767, highlighting a pay gap that early-career professionals should consider. However, as entry-level engineers gain experience, they can anticipate a growth trajectory that may see them reach the 25th percentile salary of $73,262 within the first few years. Given the local market dynamics and increasing infrastructure investments, Derby is currently positioned as a reasonable place for recent graduates to launch their careers in civil engineering, offering opportunities for progression as they transition into full-fledged professionals.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derby
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
Entry-level civil engineers in Derby, KS typically start between $63,782 and $73,262 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,008 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,767 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Kansas of $48,000 represents just 75.26% of the starting civil engineer pay ($63,782/year) in Derby. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Derby
- 1Research the Derby market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $63,782 to $73,262, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derby's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Derby is $80,008 ( 125.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,782, experienced hygienists can earn up to $143,790.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,436
2025 BLS Actual
$62,148
2026 Current Est.
$63,782
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,146 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,148 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,460 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,436 in 2019 to $62,148 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,460. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Derby
Employers in Derby seeking to hire new civil engineering graduates include both large consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, which frequently offer structured training programs for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) candidates, and government agencies like the Kansas Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These agencies provide reliable career paths with benefits such as pensions. Construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor tend to recruit entry-level engineers for fieldwork, while smaller firms may provide a quicker route to project ownership but with less formalized training. New grads can enhance their starting pay and career progression prospects by obtaining credentials such as an ABET-accredited Bachelor’s degree, passing the FE exam to gain an EIT designation, and eventually pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Given the infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there is a strong job market that reflects a steady demand for emerging civil engineering talent in Derby, KS, allowing realistic salary growth in the initial years as early-career professionals aim for more senior roles.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov